Taylor Lautner

Taylor Lautner (11.2.1992)

Taylor Lautner is an American actor and martial arts practitioner, who is perhaps best known for his role in Twilight, the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's vampire novel series.

Taylor Lautner: Childhood

Taylor Lautner was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Deborah and Daniel Lautner. His mother works for a software development firm and his father is a pilot for a commercial airline. Taylor has a younger sister, Makena.

Taylor Lautner studied karate from the age of six until he was 13. At the age of 11, he was ranked number one in the world in NASKA's Black Belt Open Forms, Musical Weapons, Traditional Weapons and Traditional Forms. The following year, he won the Junior World Championships.

Taylor Lautner: Show Business Career

Taylor Lautner started acting in 2001, with the TV film Shadow Fury. Following this, he landed a role on the series Summerland, which also featured Zac Efron and Lori Loughlin. This was followed by appearances on the Bernie Mac Show (a sitcom featuring Bernie Mac, Kellita Smith and Camille Winbush) and My Wife and Kids (another TV sitcom, featuring Damon Wayans, Jennifer Freeman and Jaz Raycole). On America's Most Talented Kids, Taylor Lautner put on a display of his karate skills and he also appeared on the Nick and Jessica Variety Hour. He has also carried out a range of successful voice-over work.

Taylor Lautner's big break came in 2005 when he landed the role of Shark Boy in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D. the film was made by the director Robert Rodriguez - who is better known for his work with Quentin Tarantino - who said that the film was largely conceived by his son, Racer Rodriguez. In the film, which also stars Taylor Dooley and Cayden Boyd, Lautner gets to show off his martial arts skills. Following the success of the film, Taylor Lautner was also cast to play Elliot in Cheaper by the Dozen. This comedy was produced by 20th Century Fox and stars Steve Martin, Hilary Duff, Carmen Electra and Bonnie Hunt.

In October 2008, Lautner featured in My Own Worst Enemy, a TV series starring Christian Slater and Saffron Burrows. However, the series only lasted for nine episodes before it was cancelled.

Lautner was then cast as Jacob Black in the film Twilight, an adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's film. Twilight also starred Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. For the sequel, New Moon, Lautner was re-cast in the same role, though he almost lost out on the role, having to weight-train extensively to guarantee that he would retain the right to the role.

Lautner was then also cast as Tyler Harrinton in Valentine's Day, alongside Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner, Ashton Kutcher, Jamie Foxx, Taylor Swift, Queen Latifah and Anne Hathaway. The film is notable for featuring one of the largest ensemble casts in cinematic history.